Every planet inStar Warshas a unique government structure, andPadmé Amidala’s role as Naboo’s queen drives that fact home. Padmé was elected queen of her home planet as a young girl, masterfully navigating her people around a trade dispute that could have destroyed their civilization. At only 14, she led theGalactic Republicin a revolutionary vote to elect a new chancellor. Padmé exuded wisdom at every turn, even uniting the Naboo people with the amphibious Gungans against the attacking waves of battle droids.
The idea that a queen could be elected seems counterintuitive, but the humans who live on the surface of Naboo have operated that way for centuries. After being elected, the monarch would have a team of trusted advisors to help them be an efficient ruler.Along with the elected monarch, Naboo was governed by a group of ministers led by a governor. Together with the queen, the Naboo Royal Advisory Council worked to keep Naboo running smoothly.
The Naboo Elect Their Queens To Rule Them
The planet of Naboo might have one of the strangest systems of government inStar Wars. Their monarchs are usually teenage girls, as the people of Naboo believed that the young women possessed a childlike innocence as well as wisdom. Queens ruled for 4 years at a time, and they could seek reelection once after their first term ended.
Padmé Amidala
The elected Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala won galactic acclaim for her heroism when she led her people against the Trade Federation. She became an influential member of the Republic Senate, but her life changed forever when she fell in love with Anakin Skywalker. Padmé Amidala found herself torn between her love for Anakin and her belief in the principles of the Republic, especially when Anakin became Darth Vader. She was brutally attacked by Anakin on Mustafar, and died in childbirth.
Anyone could run for office, but the elected monarch was usually from the royal House of Naboo. During their campaign for monarch, the prospective queen would adopt a new name and appearance that she would use upon her inauguration. This new identity would protect her loved ones in the case of any political foul play, as well ascreate a perfect camouflage for the young queen by surrounding her with handmaidens who could adopt her likeness in risky situations.
There Were Actually Three More Queens By The End Of The Prequels
After Padmé’s time as queen comes to an end, she decides to pursue a career as a senator. The movies briefly discuss this change, but the inner workings of the Naboo government are shown in the novelQueen’s Shadowby E. K. Johnston, which follows Padmé and her handmaidens through that process as well as the election of Naboo’s next queen. Queen Jamillia followed in Padmé’s footsteps, ruling for two years. During the Clone Wars, Queen Neeyutnee took the throne, followed by Queen Apailana, who saw Naboo through the end of the war and into the Imperial Era.
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Queen Apailana was elected at the age of 12, making her one of Naboo’s youngest rulers inStar Warshistory. Despite that, she refused to be absorbed into Palpatine’s Empire and actively supported theRebel Alliancewhen she could. Following the courageous lead of her predecessor,Padmé Amidala, Queen Apailana put her people first.
August 09, 2025
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
